Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. XII § 7-292
Enforcement
Operative Text
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Office of Housing Stability by a non-criminal disposition pursuant to M.G.L c. 40, § 21D, by the director or their designee. Each failure to comply with the requirements of this article with respect to an individual tenant shall be deemed a separate offense, triggering a separate warning or fine. A person or entity violating the provisions of this article shall be punished by fine in accordance with the provisions of § 1-11(b) of the Code of Ordinances.
Under Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. XII § 7-292, the Office of Housing Stability is responsible for enforcing the article's requirements through a non-criminal process authorized by Massachusetts General Law. Violations are treated on a per-tenant basis, meaning that a single landlord action affecting multiple tenants can generate multiple separate offenses and corresponding fines. Monetary penalties follow the schedule set out in § 1-11(b) of the Somerville Code of Ordinances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. XII § 7-292 places enforcement authority with the Office of Housing Stability, which can issue warnings or fines without pursuing criminal charges. Because each affected tenant counts as a separate offense, operators who manage multiple units generally ensure that their practices comply with every individual tenancy covered by the article. Fines are assessed according to § 1-11(b) of the Code, so property owners and managers typically familiarize themselves with that penalty schedule as part of their compliance review.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. XII § 7-292 gives the Office of Housing Stability the authority to investigate violations and impose fines on landlords who fail to meet the article's requirements, with each tenant's situation treated as a distinct offense. Tenants who believe their landlord has not complied with the article's requirements may consider contacting the Office of Housing Stability directly to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations in Somerville can also help residents understand what enforcement options may be available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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